The Delhi High Court has declined to grant bail to Masasosang Ao, the second accused in a case related to terror funding for the Naga rebel group National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN (IM)).
Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, who presided over the bench, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against Masasosang, stating that despite the absence of a formal declaration labelling NSCN (IM) as a terrorist organization, the charges are grave, warranting denial of bail.
The bench cited the prosecution’s assertion of a criminal conspiracy among the accused to gather terrorist funds for NSCN (IM), with Masasosang purportedly playing a role in furthering this agenda by managing bank accounts to conceal and transfer illicit funds.
The court rejected the bail plea, highlighting Masasosang’s involvement in allegedly concealing terrorist funds through fraudulent means, despite the bank accounts being in her name.
The bench underscored Masasosang’s status as a government employee, suggesting that she should have exercised caution regarding the financial transactions conducted through these accounts.
The court asserted that verbal disassociation from the accounts is insufficient, given the circumstances. The case came to light following the arrest of Alemla Jamir on December 17, 2019, during which a significant amount of cash, believed to be intended for NSCN (IM)’s activities, was seized.
Masasosang, identified as Jamir’s brother-in-law, allegedly facilitated the raising of funds for NSCN (IM) and engaged in deceptive land deals to obscure the money’s source.
